Critique groups are funny business. I've been in two, one successfully (well, at least at first), and the other, well, let's just say it didn't go so great.

I want to have a group of writers I can trust, but where to find them, I'm not certain anymore.

What makes a good group for writers? Well, maybe I should touch on the things that are not so cool.

• People you can't trust. I'm not just talking copycats. I'm talking about those people you meet that the pit of your…

As part of the promotional efforts for our mystery, Murder Off the Books, my co-author and I, the collective Evelyn David, publish a monthly e-newsletter. In addition to information on Evelyn David's appearances and new projects, we also pen a column of tips and tricks for aspiring mystery writers.

This month our topic was heroes and their sidekicks. We have some great ideas for developing these dynamic duos, but we also created a fun quiz that asks you to…

One of the best, unkept secrets in Houston is The Final Twist, the Houston Chapter of Sisters in Crime, founded four years ago by Diana L. Driver, author of Ninth Lord of the Night.

Against the odds, and despite a membership scattered all over this very large and sprawling city, the chapter has grown, managing to not just survive, but to thrive.

TFT members are mostly published authors or aspiring authors--though we're proud to include in our membership a reviewer, a movie…

One of the things I've found hardest in writing is getting someone to read my work with a critical yet encouraging eye. First problem: I was for years an English teacher in our small town, so most people think if I wrote it, it must be okay. Not true, of course, but many would never "dare" to criticize and are therefore out of the running as first readers.

Then there are the people who would love a chance to axe something I've written, just to prove that they're smarter than I am. Not…

I'm now reading The Scout Master by Luisa Buehler and really enjoying it.

Since my last post I also read Married In Metropolis by Lonnie Cruse. GREAT!!!

And also To Love And To Perish by Laura Durham. Also, Great!

Dawn

Posted by Sheila Connolly

Okay, I'll admit it: I have become a rock groupie.

I mentioned in my last blog that I had recently bought a concert t-shirt. It came from a Stevie Nicks concert, held not far from where I live.

Despite the fact that I came of age during one of the great eras of rock-and-roll history, I never went to concerts. (Note:…

If you've been around in the synth scene for a while, you've probably heard of the German band Placebo Effect. In 1999, frontman Axel Machens started a new project, Breathe.…

First of all thanks to everyone who has asked me to be their friend over the past few weeks, I'll get around to visiting all your sites and, perhaps, leaving comments before long.

I've just had confirmation from Associated Content that my latest story has appeared on their site, its not really a crime story as such, nobody gets robbed or shot or anything like that, its more a tale of urban paranoia where nothing much happens but rather a lot seems to happen.

Take a…

posted by guest blogger Jennifer Roberson

As an only child, I found it perfectly natural to create imaginary playmates. I made up huge story arcs for my favorite three, and I have a very clear memory of these friends accompanying us when we moved to Arizona in 1957. In fact, one of them reflected a concern that apparently was foremost in my 4-year-old mind: on the trip he was bitten by a rattlesnake. But in time my three invisible playmates were…

News and Inspiration

There was a monster in my backyard where I grew up.

Okay, not literally in my backyard, but only a few miles away in the White…